In chapter 11 we looked at the laws of purity regarding the eating of animals. In chapter 12, the laws of purity regarding childbirth were given. Now here in chapters 13 and also 14, we have laws regarding growths and sores on the skin, walls, and fabrics which were investigated for the presence of leprosy. Here in chapter 13 the focus is on the leper and the characteristics of leprosy. In ancient times, this disease was very contagious and incurable. Because of this, Leprosy was dealt with very seriously. It was also a dramatic picture of sin and its spiritual operation in human beings.
When leprosy first appears on a victim’s skin, it begins as small, red spots. Before too long they get bigger, start to turn white, having a shiny or scaly appearance. Soon the spots spread over the entire body and the hair begins to fall out – first from the head, then even from the eyebrows. As things get worse, the fingernails and toenails become loose; they start to rot and eventually fall off. Then the joints of fingers and toes begin to rot and start to fall off piece by piece. In the mouth, the gums start shrinking and are unable to hold teeth, so several teeth are often lost. Leprosy keeps eating away at the face until the nose is literally gone, and the palate and even eyes rot – and the victim wastes away until death.
Leprosy is like sin in many ways. It begins as nothing, and is painless in its first stages while growing slowly. It often remits for a while and then returns to eventually numb the senses until one cannot feel its effects. Leprosy, like sin, causes decay and deformity in our lives until it eventually gives a person a marked appearance. Spurgeon wrote that, “Every man by nature is like a leper, loathsome in his person, infected in all his actions and in all that he does; he is incapable of fellowship with God’s people, and he is shut out utterly and entirely by his sin from the presence and acceptance of God.”
Today, we can get leprosy of the soul if we are not careful. It can start as a secrete unseen thing and grows to the point where it takes over our lives – leaving us feeling separated, cut off from God’s presents, unclean. Therefore, protect yourself from the slow moving, numbness found in leprosy of the soul. Look to the Lord. He can heal you completely.
"There came in the fulness of time One Who could not only look at, but touch the leper – One Who could cure (Mark 1:40-45). That is also the story of His dealing with sin.” (Morgan)
The Truth: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7)
